Limerick mother jailed over son’s poor school attendance

Mother of a teenage boy was sentenced to one month's imprisonment over her teenage son’s poor attendance at school.iStock

The mother of a teenage boy was sentenced to one month's imprisonment over her teenage son’s poor attendance at school.

The woman was warned last year she would go to prison if the attendance record of the now 16-year-old did not improve after Limerick District Court was told he had missed 23 out of 26 school days

While his attendance rate improved in September, solicitor Kate Kiely, representing TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency, said the boy has not attended school since the midterm break last October and that the rate of absenteeism for the current academic year was 66.2 percent.

Seeking to have the matter finalized, Kiely said the legal proceedings were initiated more than two years ago and that TUSLA was of the view that matters had “reached the end of the road” and that the situation “is not going to improve.”

She said it had been hoped the youth would engage with Limerick Youth Service but informed the court he has not engaged in any way.

Kiely said “all possible services” have been made available to the defendant and her family. ”Perhaps the only thing that will make a difference is a conviction,” she added.

Solicitor Sarah Ryan, representing the boy’s mother, said her client “just can’t get her son to go to school” despite her best efforts.

She said the situation is more difficult given the absence of a male figure in the household who the teenager respects.

Having considered the matter, Judge Marian O’Leary imposed a one month prison sentence.

She adjourned a number of similar prosecutions, relating to two of the woman’s daughters to March 16, warning she may face a similar penalty.

The girls, who are aged 15 and 13, have both missed more than a third of all school days during the current academic year and have been late on numerous occasions.

The woman was released on bail pending an appeal against the imposition of the prison sentence.

H/T: Limerick Leader.

Mother of a teenage boy was sentenced to one month's imprisonment over her teenage son’s poor attendance at school.iStock